By: Dan Fischbach, Net+, MCP
Originally Written: July 15th, 2006
Did you recently install some software, update a virus scanner, do a Windows Update or run a Spybot: Search & Destroy scan with an older version of Spybot and now when you try and log on to Windows XP it automatically logs you off? Help is right here!
You haven’t tried the real solution yet until you’ve tried this one! This fix incorporates many other fixes found around the Internet, plus steps to remove spyware easily! It’s worth the wait to ensure a working system!
Updated May 16th, 2009!
Completely automated! * Live Spybot: Search & Destroy Scan! * Support for XP installations without ANY sort of Service Pack! * No more messy Offline Registry Editors! * No more Bart PE CD building! * No more Ubuntu CD burning!
Save Me v1.55.0 is out! (see changelog.txt for details if interested)
Introduction/Some
things you should know
(VERY IMPORTANT,
PLEASE READ)
- First off, your data is safe so DO NOT PANIC.
All of it can be recovered. Think of the data that you made on your computer as a separate thing from Windows itself. (because it is!) Windows is just an Operating System, a special kind of computer program made to run other computer programs or read certain files. Windows is made up of MANY parts, and sometimes those parts need to be replaced, just like any other machine. We’re going to check certain parts of the system to make sure everything is running the way it should. - Another way to think of it is that your front door is locked, so we’re getting into the machine through a back door to unlock the front door.
- Another reason why your data is safe is because most pieces of spyware cause Windows to stop working, but they don’t destroy your data. Think of the spyware as a stupid burglar: he’ll take all the pipes and wood out of your house, but he/she won’t steal your car or jewels.
- If my solution (scroll down) does not work for you and you need the data off the hard drive, search local websites for any sort of USB-to-IDE or USB-to-SATA device. These devices will allow you to hook up your hard drive to a working computer via USB and get the data off of it. The device that I like is this one. You can go ahead and throw away the driver disc it comes with, as that’s only for systems that are older than XP or Vista.
- I’m a student who’s getting his Masters in Interactive Entertainment. (basically, video game development) My time will be limited. I’ll mostly likely ask you to contact me directly over the phone or through email if I can tell that the issue can’t be resolved by this guide. Believe me, it would take a lot longer to type out instructions via text instead of just telling you directly.
- Page numbers referenced in comments to this guide before March 21st, 2009 are now invalid.
- Remember, you can contact me at any point if you have questions or concerns.
- Take a deep breath and relax.
Did you get all that? You sure?
Great! Please go to the next
page to begin. (The page
numbers are below the blue
box here. Don’t worry about
the number of pages! The
pages are nice and short. )
Sorry Dan my keyboard is wireless and the batteries where dead is why it didn’t start up that should have been the first thing I checked. It worked perfectly your the man thanks for coming to my rescue!
Abul:
No problem! Please make sure to go on to Page 7 of the guide to clean your computer and keep it safe in the future.